Masterpieces of Ukiyo-e at the Victoria & Albert Museum, London

By Julia Hutt, curator of Japanese art in the Asian Department at the Victoria & Albert Museum in London

The V&A has one of the largest and most important collections of Japanese prints and illustrated books in the world, and their draw seems only to strengthen with time…

Ukiyo-e prints are not only one of the most widely known forms of Japanese art, they are also one of the most appealing. Encapsulating life in the Edo period (1615-1868), they depict different aspects of everyday existence from theatre-going, to travel and sex. Julia Hutt will explore some of the themes associated with this fascinating subject.